WW rejoices 'especially in Lord Lansdowne's mode of approbation' over RJ's book ['An Essay on the Distribution of Wealth, and on the Sources of Taxation: Part 1. - Rent', 1831]. He has received his proof sheets from the British Critic ['Review of An Essay on the Distribution of Wealth and Sources of Taxation by the Revd Richard Jones', The British Critic, Quarterly Theological Review and Ecclesiastical Record, 10, 1831]: 'I think I will not send you them. I do not like them at all but shrink from the task of altering them so as to make them good'. William Buckland and his wife are coming to stay next week.
Kinnardy, Forfar - Thanks WW 'for the great service you have done all geologists and me in particular by your splendid article in the British Critic' ['Lyell's 'Principles of Geology' volume 1', British Critic, 1831]. The 'keeping out of view all collision between geology and theology is a piece of tact which all [here] regret that the Quarterly Review did not do - no one more so than the editor - But for my running my head against the history of opinion I should have done this as carefully as you, I shall in v.2.' CL greatly admires what William Buckland has achieved in such an atmosphere. Can WW help him with his nomenclature: 'I cannot freely connect Sedgwick and other geologists whose judgment I much respect'. The 'only terms and divisions on which I feel quite decided are first to separate Tertiary and Contemporary'.
Letters dated 27 May 1845, 22 June 1848.
Case of the Dean of Westminster
Dean of Westminster "a Charlatan"
Leonard Horner was at Manchester when WW's letter arrived and he gives the answer CL thought he would [attached to CL's letter is Horner's reply, in which he expresses his desire to be President of the Geological Society but unfortunately has not got the time]. CL has produced a list with Horner concerning possible candidates - Michael Faraday, George Poulett Scrope, William Buckland. CL wishes Egerton [Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton] had been ready - other 'vigorous and fresh men' include Richard Owen and Charles Darwin.
Preston - WW rejoices again at RJ's appointment as Commissioner [see WW to RJ, 12 Aug. 1836]. WW was encouraged by the account RJ gave of Rose's [Hugh James Rose] 'probable promotion; and indignant to find, at the end of your letter, that it was likely to be defeated by that insatiable Lonsdale. I have heard nothing more, so I am still hoping Rose will be the man. I do not doubt that if he were comfortably seated in the office he would mollify his prejudices and dislikes and work it well. I hope he is tranquil again about your appointment. I wrote to him, explaining in as justly a manner as I could, how invincible your claims were, and how much the clergy ought to rejoice at them as well'. The BAAS meeting has gone on well: 'Charles Dupin was with us and spoke repeatedly. Buckland [William Buckland] talked such philosophy that the ladies wanted to toss him in a blanket; and your statistician Stanley of Alderly next made such a speech as almost to make me despair of the fortunes of the next meeting of which he is to be vice-president'.
Oxford - WB replies to WW's queries in strict confidence: Lord Melbourne appointed Dr [Thomas] Arnold. Sir Robert Peel will appoint his successor [as Regius Professor of History at Oxford University] - [Henry] Hallam would not accept the office if offered to him. [James] Prichard is thinking of the matter, and should write to Sir R P announcing his wishes to possess the vacant office. He should also send copies of all his works and 'state his views in wishing for the Office to be the carrying out the subject of Ethnography; which has occupied so much of his attention'.